Ford Transit has been named Work Truck magazine’s Commercial Van of the Year for the second year in a row, winning top votes from fleet managers across the country. 

Officially announced at Work Truck Week 2025, voters cited the van’s versatility, durability, low total cost of ownership, and ongoing evolution to meet real-world fleet needs as key reasons it came out on top once again.

How Ford Keeps the Transit Working Harder for Fleets

Sean Masson, Transit Brand Manager for Ford Pro, has worked closely with commercial customers, helping them understand Transit’s strengths and hearing firsthand what fleets need. He said what continues to set the Transit apart is simple and powerful.

“It’s versatile, durable, and we continue to evolve,” Masson explained. “Yes, it’s a tool for doing work, but that tool has to change with us too. Continuing to stay on top, having partnerships and customers who not only buy our vehicles but trust us with their telematics information to provide them better service — we have better understanding of how they’re using their fleet.”

That focus on real-world use has helped Ford refine the Transit without overcomplicating the platform. And make it even more of a tool for the trades with its electric option.

“When you look at evolving e-Transit and launching the electric variant, we kept it as similar and close to its gas counterpart,” Masson added. “We didn’t make major changes, just tweaked it to make it a different use case, to apply to a different audience.”

Since 2014, Ford has built more than 1.2 million Transits in America, and according to Masson, “99% of them are still on the road today.” For many fleet managers, that durability is not just a selling point, it’s essential to business operations.

Fleet Perspective: Real-World Success in Action

Chris Russo, co-founder of Elite Home Care, sees the impact of the Ford Transit every day. His company operates a large transportation network providing door-to-door rides for elderly and disabled individuals heading to adult day centers, medical appointments, and other critical services.

“When we first heard about the electric version of a Transit, it felt like it was created especially for our business,” Russo said.

Elite Home Care needed a vehicle that could safely and comfortably transport small groups — often fewer than eight people, including ambulatory and wheelchair passengers. The Ford Transit checked all the boxes.

“For our business, typically we’re going to move a small group of people, sometimes just one person,” Russo explained. “Sometimes they’re in a wheelchair. The Transit allowed us to carry both ambulatory people as well as those possibly in a wheelchair. It’s the right size — big enough to do what we need but not oversized, so it's still easy to drive every day.”

Electric Transit: Real Savings Beyond Fuel

Switching from traditional gasoline-powered vans to the e-Transit made financial sense for Elite Home Care.

“It saved us a ton of money on fuel,” Russo said. “But the bigger savings were in maintenance and downtime. With a traditional ICE vehicle, you have oil changes, transmission issues, drivetrain problems, and a lot more moving parts. With the e-Transit, for the most part, you plug it in at night, and it’s ready to go the next morning.”

That reliability means fewer canceled rides, fewer missed appointments, and better service for passengers who depend on transportation for critical medical care.

Russo also pointed out an often-overlooked benefit: no catalytic converters.

“If you have a fleet of ICE vehicles sitting outside, that’s a buffet for thieves looking to steal catalytic converters,” he said. “With the e-Transit, we don’t have that problem, and our vehicles stay on the road.”

Total Cost of Ownership: A Bigger Picture

Although electric vehicles can have higher upfront purchase costs, Russo said the overall savings have made it more worthwhile for his business.

“Although these vehicles have an upfront cost to acquire, our overall savings have justified it,” he explained.

And Ford Pro’s support made a big difference. Russo noted that Ford Pro helped his team find available government and utility incentives and helped set up charging infrastructure, often one of the biggest hurdles for businesses moving to EVs.

“They already did a lot of the legwork,” Russo said. “We started with Level 2 chargers, and as we grew, Ford helped us source Level 3 chargers for faster midday charging. They helped develop the infrastructure, work with utilities, and source the equipment. It took a lot of the stress off us.”

An Unexpected Hiring Advantage

One unexpected outcome of adding the e-Transit to the fleet was increased job applicants.

“We were getting applications sent to us because people were seeing these vehicles on the road and wanted to ask questions about them,” Russo shared. “They saw it as the company investing in their drivers. That’s their office for the day, and they appreciated being in the newest, cleanest, safest equipment.”

Russo noted that the newer drivers were also more efficient. Planning their routes better, avoiding unnecessary stops, and being more mindful of charging times all contributed to a tighter, more reliable transportation schedule.

Fleet Partnerships Built on Trust

For Masson, hearing about real-world customer success stories like Russo’s is part of what makes winning Commercial Van of the Year so meaningful.

“It takes a village,” Masson said. “It’s not just me; it’s not just the team. It’s the entire Ford Pro and Ford Motor Company organization. It’s an honor for us to have that distinction, and it reflects the trust our customers place in us.”

Masson pointed out that Transit has become more than just a van for many businesses.

“It’s more than just a product,” he said. “For some, it’s a place to live. It’s their home. It’s a mobile office. It’s a tool. I can’t give you a screwdriver when you need a saw, and I can’t give you a hammer when you need a wrench. But we offer that entire toolbox under one roof.”

Looking Ahead

As fleet needs continue to change, Ford Pro remains focused on adapting the Transit platform to meet those demands without losing sight of the foundation that made it successful — durability, dependability, and strong customer partnerships.

At Elite Home Care, Russo said the Transit continues to meet and exceed expectations.

“If we can have a vehicle that’s better for our business, better for the environment, and a better experience for our drivers and passengers, it just makes sense,” he said.

Between strong fleet support, customer-centered design, and proven longevity on the road, it’s clear why the Ford Transit continues to earn top marks among commercial van users and why it’s secured its second Commercial Van of the Year award from Work Truck readers.